Chapter 371
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Elias uncapped a bottle and held it under Dallas' nose, who stirred quietly, leaving his unconscious state.
Dallas' eyelids twitched, and they fluttered, revealing his eyes. The bigshot's eyes darted around in fear, somehow using his instincts and realizing that something was wrong.
However, the closer Elias looked at him, the more he felt that this was not a natural reaction. While it had felt very natural, a person didn't actually recall what happened exactly to them after they woke up from being knocked out.
When he stared closer at the man's face, he could see that his reaction was fake, if well-crafted.
Dallas Biggs was indeed a civilian, and he only held the barest hints of magic. But that way he reacted, instinctively using 'fear' when he first woke up, he had trained himself to do it.
This wasn't as simple as he thought.
Elias frowned, glancing at Dominique.
Dominique, however, had not been looking at Dallas at all. Instead, his eyes were completely locked onto Elias' reaction.
Elias, who realized this, suddenly felt embarrassed, and he turned his head back to Dallas.
Dominique happily peered at the red-tipped ears again.
Dallas, who had realized that he was stripped naked and bound to his bed, rove his eyes about wildly, seemingly panicking.
But instead of being panicked, like he projected outwardly, the man was actually calm. He was quickly taking in the possible routes in order to escape, as well as how many assailants there were.
His bodyguards should have been taken out already if they managed to get him, and that meant that the two women were also taken care of, leaving him free of surveillance from the company.
He caught sight of the two men whom he'd seen earlier replacing his bodyguards. They were no longer wearing the suits that he made his bodyguards wear.
Instead, both of the men had some sort of black cloth covering their eyes, as well as skin-tight black clothing that covered them from the neck down.
Dallas' eyes flickered. This…!
He felt his face pale immediately.
Weren't they part of the mysterious organization that had surfaced lately who went about assassinating people who had done bad things?
Because of the way they did it, even piking the head of the people and providing all the evidence, it was approved of by the public despite the barbaric public display. It even got to the point where they were tacitly approved of by the local authorities.
These lunatics had been referred to as Spectres because of the way they appeared and disappeared like ghosts, evading detection and only killing their targets.
They couldn't be reasoned with or bribed, nor could they be fought off without having an army at your disposal.
If you fought one off, two came. If two weren't enough, there were three.
It was like an endlessly multiplying game that one would eventually lose against.
Rumour had it that one bigshot had managed to survive until there were a hundred Spectres who surrounded him, decimating his hired bodyguards and himself.
It was because of stories like this that many people had been driven to despair once they realized that they were marked by the Spectres.
All of this flashed through Dallas' mind before he instantly gave up the gig. He didn't believe that a bunch of lunatics could be tricked.
In any case, honesty was better than dishonesty with these lunatics.
The fear and panic melted off Dallas' face like water sliding off a swan's back, and Elias inwardly raised a brow.
There was something else going on that he wasn't privy to. Who were the women before, and how were they connected to each other? He was already leaning towards the theory that this man was connected to the company, but he knew better than to invest in a theory before he got all his facts straight.
Dallas spoke up before either of them could speak up. \"I won't play games with you. I've been prepared for death at any time, but you should keep me alive if you want more information. If they realize I'm dead, then they will summarily evacuate the area, never appearing again.\"
\"And how will we know that the information you give us is true?\" Elias asked.
Dominique just looked behind like a silent shadow, providing a pressuring presence that made Dallas tense up.
But Dallas remained calm. He didn't even try to sit up or struggle against his bindings.
Dallas didn't reply Elias' question, but instead posed a question of his own. \"I'm not sure if you know, but 'the company' has been keeping a tight eye on me.\"
Dominique's eyes sharpened as he heard familiar words coming out of his mouth.
\"Continue,\" Dominique said, and his youthful-sounding voice surprised Dallas.
Dallas paused for the briefest second before he continued to talk. \"They've been basically blackmailing me in order to use my connections. Do you think I really wanted to kidnap all these artists? They're like sheep now!\"
There was an aggrieved tone in Dallas' voice, speaking of how indignant he felt that the artists he valued so much had been reduced to such a state.
Elias didn't buy it. However, the man was telling the truth about him being 'blackmailed'.
The impression the man gave him was that he was an old fox.
\"All the things produced by the craftsmen are taken away by the company in set intervals. Every two weeks, they come and collect the things that have been produced. However, they only come out if I'm there. If they don't see me, they will automatically assume that I've been 'taken care of'.\"
Elias' lips curled coldly. Saying this much, wasn't he just pleading for his life in the end?
Still, there was always the chance that he was telling the truth.
Elias had not expected that a mere kidnapping would result in something like this. He had received a letter from Alec that he was looking for 'the company'. Not only that, Dominique was also aware of their existence.
He had been following up on various leads, but they had all led to dead ends. This was the last lead that he had, and he had similarly expected to be led to a dead end.
But defying all expectations, it had paid off.
Rumours about Dallas Biggs had been lowly talked about in the market, as well as amongst the artisans, but it was talked about in hushed voices.
He had not expected the rumours to pan out. He paused, narrowing his eyes.
It seemed like the rumours were deliberately allowed to spread by this Dallas? Indeed, he was not as stupid nor as ignorant as he portrayed himself to be.
This way, rumours about something that was connected to the company could be leaked out, and whoever was opposing the company would eventually come to him.
This was not a bad way to get attention indeed. And obviously, it had not caught the attention of the company, which meant that his plan had worked.
Dallas rambled on for long enough that his throat became dry. He cleared his throat. \"I've told you so much. Shouldn't you untie me now?\"
Elias tilted his head. \"I don't think so.\"
Dallas blinked.
Dominique stepped forward, brandishing his dagger, and Dallas shut his mouth obediently. He worried that any further words would instead push them in another diection.
He didn't say anything when Dominique roughly tied him up and bundled him up before knocking him out and placing him in the cupboard.
Elias' lips twitched as he resisted the urge to laugh.
Dominique looked at Elias. \"You stay here. I'll go get someone to take care of him.\"
Elias nodded. Even though he felt like he didn't want to let Dominique out of his sight, if he really couldn't trust this much, then their future relationship would have no future…
Dominique quickly made his way to the Cookie Sect, where Dallas Biggs was brought away without any trouble.
Within a day, Dallas Biggs would be in the hands of his Boss.
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Elias uncapped a bottle and held it under Dallas' nose, who stirred quietly, leaving his unconscious state.
Dallas' eyelids twitched, and they fluttered, revealing his eyes. The bigshot's eyes darted around in fear, somehow using his instincts and realizing that something was wrong.
However, the closer Elias looked at him, the more he felt that this was not a natural reaction. While it had felt very natural, a person didn't actually recall what happened exactly to them after they woke up from being knocked out.
When he stared closer at the man's face, he could see that his reaction was fake, if well-crafted.
Dallas Biggs was indeed a civilian, and he only held the barest hints of magic. But that way he reacted, instinctively using 'fear' when he first woke up, he had trained himself to do it.
This wasn't as simple as he thought.
Elias frowned, glancing at Dominique.
Dominique, however, had not been looking at Dallas at all. Instead, his eyes were completely locked onto Elias' reaction.
Elias, who realized this, suddenly felt embarrassed, and he turned his head back to Dallas.
Dominique happily peered at the red-tipped ears again.
Dallas, who had realized that he was stripped naked and bound to his bed, rove his eyes about wildly, seemingly panicking.
But instead of being panicked, like he projected outwardly, the man was actually calm. He was quickly taking in the possible routes in order to escape, as well as how many assailants there were.
His bodyguards should have been taken out already if they managed to get him, and that meant that the two women were also taken care of, leaving him free of surveillance from the company.
He caught sight of the two men whom he'd seen earlier replacing his bodyguards. They were no longer wearing the suits that he made his bodyguards wear.
Instead, both of the men had some sort of black cloth covering their eyes, as well as skin-tight black clothing that covered them from the neck down.
Dallas' eyes flickered. This…!
He felt his face pale immediately.
Weren't they part of the mysterious organization that had surfaced lately who went about assassinating people who had done bad things?
Because of the way they did it, even piking the head of the people and providing all the evidence, it was approved of by the public despite the barbaric public display. It even got to the point where they were tacitly approved of by the local authorities.
These lunatics had been referred to as Spectres because of the way they appeared and disappeared like ghosts, evading detection and only killing their targets.
They couldn't be reasoned with or bribed, nor could they be fought off without having an army at your disposal.
If you fought one off, two came. If two weren't enough, there were three.
It was like an endlessly multiplying game that one would eventually lose against.
Rumour had it that one bigshot had managed to survive until there were a hundred Spectres who surrounded him, decimating his hired bodyguards and himself.
It was because of stories like this that many people had been driven to despair once they realized that they were marked by the Spectres.
All of this flashed through Dallas' mind before he instantly gave up the gig. He didn't believe that a bunch of lunatics could be tricked.
In any case, honesty was better than dishonesty with these lunatics.
The fear and panic melted off Dallas' face like water sliding off a swan's back, and Elias inwardly raised a brow.
There was something else going on that he wasn't privy to. Who were the women before, and how were they connected to each other? He was already leaning towards the theory that this man was connected to the company, but he knew better than to invest in a theory before he got all his facts straight.
Dallas spoke up before either of them could speak up. \"I won't play games with you. I've been prepared for death at any time, but you should keep me alive if you want more information. If they realize I'm dead, then they will summarily evacuate the area, never appearing again.\"
\"And how will we know that the information you give us is true?\" Elias asked.
Dominique just looked behind like a silent shadow, providing a pressuring presence that made Dallas tense up.
But Dallas remained calm. He didn't even try to sit up or struggle against his bindings.
Dallas didn't reply Elias' question, but instead posed a question of his own. \"I'm not sure if you know, but 'the company' has been keeping a tight eye on me.\"
Dominique's eyes sharpened as he heard familiar words coming out of his mouth.
\"Continue,\" Dominique said, and his youthful-sounding voice surprised Dallas.
Dallas paused for the briefest second before he continued to talk. \"They've been basically blackmailing me in order to use my connections. Do you think I really wanted to kidnap all these artists? They're like sheep now!\"
There was an aggrieved tone in Dallas' voice, speaking of how indignant he felt that the artists he valued so much had been reduced to such a state.
Elias didn't buy it. However, the man was telling the truth about him being 'blackmailed'.
The impression the man gave him was that he was an old fox.
\"All the things produced by the craftsmen are taken away by the company in set intervals. Every two weeks, they come and collect the things that have been produced. However, they only come out if I'm there. If they don't see me, they will automatically assume that I've been 'taken care of'.\"
Elias' lips curled coldly. Saying this much, wasn't he just pleading for his life in the end?
Still, there was always the chance that he was telling the truth.
Elias had not expected that a mere kidnapping would result in something like this. He had received a letter from Alec that he was looking for 'the company'. Not only that, Dominique was also aware of their existence.
He had been following up on various leads, but they had all led to dead ends. This was the last lead that he had, and he had similarly expected to be led to a dead end.
But defying all expectations, it had paid off.
Rumours about Dallas Biggs had been lowly talked about in the market, as well as amongst the artisans, but it was talked about in hushed voices.
He had not expected the rumours to pan out. He paused, narrowing his eyes.
It seemed like the rumours were deliberately allowed to spread by this Dallas? Indeed, he was not as stupid nor as ignorant as he portrayed himself to be.
This way, rumours about something that was connected to the company could be leaked out, and whoever was opposing the company would eventually come to him.
This was not a bad way to get attention indeed. And obviously, it had not caught the attention of the company, which meant that his plan had worked.
Dallas rambled on for long enough that his throat became dry. He cleared his throat. \"I've told you so much. Shouldn't you untie me now?\"
Elias tilted his head. \"I don't think so.\"
Dallas blinked.
Dominique stepped forward, brandishing his dagger, and Dallas shut his mouth obediently. He worried that any further words would instead push them in another diection.
He didn't say anything when Dominique roughly tied him up and bundled him up before knocking him out and placing him in the cupboard.
Elias' lips twitched as he resisted the urge to laugh.
Dominique looked at Elias. \"You stay here. I'll go get someone to take care of him.\"
Elias nodded. Even though he felt like he didn't want to let Dominique out of his sight, if he really couldn't trust this much, then their future relationship would have no future…
Dominique quickly made his way to the Cookie Sect, where Dallas Biggs was brought away without any trouble.
Within a day, Dallas Biggs would be in the hands of his Boss.
Elias uncapped a bottle and held it under Dallas' nose, who stirred quietly, leaving his unconscious state.Dallas' eyelids twitched, and they fluttered, revealing his eyes. The bigshot's eyes darted around in fear, somehow using his instincts and realizing that something was wrong.However, the closer Elias looked at him, the more he felt that this was not a natural reaction. While it had felt very natural, a person didn't actually recall what happened exactly to them after they woke up from being knocked out.When he stared closer at the man's face, he could see that his reaction was fake, if well-crafted.Dallas Biggs was indeed a civilian, and he only held the barest hints of magic. But that way he reacted, instinctively using 'fear' when he first woke up, he had trained himself to do it.This wasn't as simple as he thought.Elias frowned, glancing at Dominique.Dominique, however, had not been looking at Dallas at all. Instead, his eyes were completely locked onto Elias' reaction.Elias, who realized this, suddenly felt embarrassed, and he turned his head back to Dallas.Dominique happily peered at the red-tipped ears again.Dallas, who had realized that he was stripped naked and bound to his bed, rove his eyes about wildly, seemingly panicking.But instead of being panicked, like he projected outwardly, the man was actually calm. He was quickly taking in the possible routes in order to escape, as well as how many assailants there were.His bodyguards should have been taken out already if they managed to get him, and that meant that the two women were also taken care of, leaving him free of surveillance from the company.He caught sight of the two men whom he'd seen earlier replacing his bodyguards. They were no longer wearing the suits that he made his bodyguards wear.Instead, both of the men had some sort of black cloth covering their eyes, as well as skin-tight black clothing that covered them from the neck down.Dallas' eyes flickered. This!He felt his face pale immediately.Weren't they part of the mysterious organization that had surfaced lately who went about assassinating people who had done bad things?Because of the way they did it, even piking the head of the people and providing all the evidence, it was approved of by the public despite the barbaric public display. It even got to the point where they were tacitly approved of by the local authorities.These lunatics had been referred to as Spectres because of the way they appeared and disappeared like ghosts, evading detection and only killing their targets.They couldn't be reasoned with or bribed, nor could they be fought off without having an army at your disposal.If you fought one off, two came. If two weren't enough, there were three.It was like an endlessly multiplying game that one would eventually lose against.Rumour had it that one bigshot had managed to survive until there were a hundred Spectres who surrounded him, decimating his hired bodyguards and himself.It was because of stories like this that many people had been driven to despair once they realized that they were marked by the Spectres.All of this flashed through Dallas' mind before he instantly gave up the gig. He didn't believe that a bunch of lunatics could be tricked.In any case, honesty was better than dishonesty with these lunatics.The fear and panic melted off Dallas' face like water sliding off a swan's back, and Elias inwardly raised a brow.There was something else going on that he wasn't privy to. Who were the women before, and how were they connected to each other? He was already leaning towards the theory that this man was connected to the company, but he knew better than to invest in a theory before he got all his facts straight.Dallas spoke up before either of them could speak up. \"I won't play games with you. I've been prepared for death at any time, but you should keep me alive if you want more information. If they realize I'm dead, then they will summarily evacuate the area, never appearing again.\"\"And how will we know that the information you give us is true?\" Elias asked.Dominique just looked behind like a silent shadow, providing a pressuring presence that made Dallas tense up.But Dallas remained calm. He didn't even try to sit up or struggle against his bindings.Dallas didn't reply Elias' question, but instead posed a question of his own. \"I'm not sure if you know, but 'the company' has been keeping a tight eye on me.\"Dominique's eyes sharpened as he heard familiar words coming out of his mouth.\"Continue,\" Dominique said, and his youthful-sounding voice surprised Dallas.Dallas paused for the briefest second before he continued to talk. \"They've been basically blackmailing me in order to use my connections. Do you think I really wanted to kidnap all these artists? They're like sheep now!\"There was an aggrieved tone in Dallas' voice, speaking of how indignant he felt that the artists he valued so much had been reduced to such a state.Elias didn't buy it. However, the man was telling the truth about him being 'blackmailed'.The impression the man gave him was that he was an old fox.\"All the things produced by the craftsmen are taken away by the company in set intervals. Every two weeks, they come and collect the things that have been produced. However, they only come out if I'm there. If they don't see me, they will automatically assume that I've been 'taken care of'.\"Elias' lips curled coldly. Saying this much, wasn't he just pleading for his life in the end?Still, there was always the chance that he was telling the truth.Elias had not expected that a mere kidnapping would result in something like this. He had received a letter from Alec that he was looking for 'the company'. Not only that, Dominique was also aware of their existence.He had been following up on various leads, but they had all led to dead ends. This was the last lead that he had, and he had similarly expected to be led to a dead end.But defying all expectations, it had paid off.Rumours about Dallas Biggs had been lowly talked about in the market, as well as amongst the artisans, but it was talked about in hushed voices.He had not expected the rumours to pan out. He paused, narrowing his eyes.It seemed like the rumours were deliberately allowed to spread by this Dallas? Indeed, he was not as stupid nor as ignorant as he portrayed himself to be.This way, rumours about something that was connected to the company could be leaked out, and whoever was opposing the company would eventually come to him.This was not a bad way to get attention indeed. And obviously, it had not caught the attention of the company, which meant that his plan had worked.Dallas rambled on for long enough that his throat became dry. He cleared his throat. \"I've told you so much. Shouldn't you untie me now?\"Elias tilted his head. \"I don't think so.\"Dallas blinked.Dominique stepped forward, brandishing his dagger, and Dallas shut his mouth obediently. He worried that any further words would instead push them in another diection.He didn't say anything when Dominique roughly tied him up and bundled him up before knocking him out and placing him in the cupboard.Elias' lips twitched as he resisted the urge to laugh.Dominique looked at Elias. \"You stay here. I'll go get someone to take care of him.\"Elias nodded. Even though he felt like he didn't want to let Dominique out of his sight, if he really couldn't trust this much, then their future relationship would have no futureDominique quickly made his way to the Cookie Sect, where Dallas Biggs was brought away without any trouble.Within a day, Dallas Biggs would be in the hands of his Boss.
